Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the media on Thursday evening for what he called lenient coverage of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. DeSantis accused reporters of applying a double standard when it comes to accountability for Democratic leaders.
The wildfires, which have swept through Pasadena and nearby communities, have destroyed hundreds of structures, left at least five people dead, and displaced thousands.
READ: Los Angeles Wildfires Devastate Communities: Death Toll Expected To Rise Amid Continuing Blaze
President-elect Donald Trump criticized Newsom’s handling of the crisis, but when asked whether Trump’s comments were appropriate, DeSantis redirected the criticism toward the media.
“A Double Standard”
“Is it appropriate for people in your industry to try to create division and to try to create narratives anytime these things happen?” DeSantis asked reporters. “Now, you’re not as interested in doing that because Newsom is a D. If Newsom was a Republican, you guys would go try to — you would have him nailed to the wall for what they are doing over there.”
DeSantis, known for his own contentious relationship with the media, claimed that Republican governors like himself face far more scrutiny in disaster situations than their Democratic counterparts. “We just assume in Florida, anytime something happens, it’s going to be politicized by the media. So you guys sitting in judgment of Donald Trump, I mean, excuse me, I think your track record of politicizing these things is very, very bad,” he added.
READ: Trump Slams California Gov. Newsom For ‘Sending Water To Pacific To Save Smelt’ Over People
DeSantis referenced a history of media coverage that he believes unfairly targets Republicans. He recalled the Washington Post’s attempt to hold him responsible for the 2021 collapse of the Surfside Towers in Florida, even before all the facts had emerged. Similarly, DeSantis highlighted President-elect Trump’s past criticism of Newsom’s wildfire preparation, accusing the California governor of prioritizing environmental protections for the delta smelt, a small fish, over water access for cities and farmers.
“What I’m telling you is you guys are trying to make an issue of it when I have watched from this seat,” DeSantis said. “If that were a Republican mayor of L.A., I can only imagine what that would do. Fires are a high risk, and you try to go to Africa or wherever she was, to go on some type of voyage? You should have been there preparing and doing that.”
The comments referred to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was in Ghana attending the presidential inauguration when the fires erupted.
READ: Tennessee Sen. Blackburn Leads Intro Of PRINTS Act To Combat Border ‘Child Recycling’
DeSantis ended his remarks by urging the media to apply equal scrutiny to leaders of both parties. “I would like to see some balance on how this is done,” he said. “You criticize the president-elect, but I think you also have to hold these other people accountable, and I’ve not seen that.”
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